As the new Common Core Standards take hold in states across the nation, curriculum developers are hard at work to transform complex content into interesting and effective lesson plans that grab students’ attention in K-12 classrooms. Also commonly referred to as instructional coordinators, curriculum specialists, and instructional designers, curriculum developers are highly trained education professionals who build classroom activities to ensure content is delivered in an accurate, engaging, and developmentally appropriate manner.
Not only are curriculum developers concerned with making certain school districts are following state or federal education standards, but they also want to help teachers improve their instructional methods to facilitate student learning and raise standardized test scores. Curriculum developers are essential members of the education field for determining the best teaching strategies, implementing valuable learning experiences, and evaluating student performance to make any necessary changes in enhancing curricula.
Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for curriculum developers and instructional coordinators is listed at $63,070, which is equivalent to $30.32 per hour. On average, the lowest paid in the profession work at universities for $58,130 annually and the highest paid curriculum developers are employed by the federal government at $88,660 each year.
Beginning Salary
When just getting started on a career in curriculum development, it is common for specialists to earn an average salary of $34,370 annually. However, with additional years of experience in instructional design, curriculum developers have the ability to increase their salary potential dramatically to earn an average yearly wage of $93,500 or more.
Key Responsibilities
Curriculum developers are given the responsibility of assessing the effectiveness of curriculum standards as well as teaching strategies to guarantee that students in K-12 classrooms have the best opportunity to learn. On a typical day, curriculum developers can be found coordinating implementation of curriculum, evaluating teachers’ instruction, analyzing student test scores, recommending textbooks, discussing education standards with school staff, offering recommendations on different teaching strategies, and mentoring teachers to improve their skills. In some cases, curriculum developers will also be responsible for organizing teacher training conferences in their school district to train teachers and other school support specialists in aligning class content to new curriculum standards.
Necessary Skills
Since curriculum developers are responsible for serving as mentors to teachers and working with school administrators for making changes to curriculum standards, it is essential that they possess strong communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills for building positive working relationships throughout the school community. Curriculum developers should also have decision-making and creative problem solving skills for making sound recommendations on changing curricula, teaching strategies, or textbook choices. Analytical skills with a strong attention to detail are also necessary for curriculum developers to effectively examine student performance data for evaluating curriculum improvements.
Degree and Education Requirements
Most K-12 public school districts in the United States will require curriculum developers to complete a bachelor’s degree from a teacher preparation program before continuing to graduate school for a master’s degree. In order to develop knowledge specifically about curriculum design, instructional theory, educational technology, and data analysis, it is recommended that aspiring developers receive a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Curriculum and Instruction. That being said, some curriculum developers planning to work at the secondary level can benefit from earning a degree in the subject they plan to specialize in, such as English, mathematics, history, or science.
Pros and Cons of the Position
As the number of open positions grows more rapidly than other education careers, many teachers are making the move into curriculum development to still be involved in the teaching process. Becoming a curriculum developer comes with plentiful emotional rewards for planting the newest technologies in the classroom, mentoring new teachers to improve their instruction, and playing a prominent role in enhancing student learning for future success. However, it is important to note that curriculum developers mostly work behind the scenes and have very minimal contact with students in the classroom. Unlike teachers, curriculum developers also are typically hired to work year-round and do not enjoy the same privilege of having summers off.
Getting Started
In addition to earning a graduate degree, the majority of employers will require curriculum developers to have related teaching experience in the K-12 classroom to have first-hand knowledge of how curriculum standards are implemented. To get started, you will need to complete a student teaching semester, pass the required certification examinations, and apply for a teaching license in your state. From there, you should acquire several years of teaching experience in the specific subject or grade level you are interested in specializing in as a curriculum developer. Depending on the position, it may also be required to have experience as a school principal, which will require a special education administrator license too. As a general rule of thumb, the more experience you have in the education field, the more likely you will be qualified for overseeing a school’s complex curriculum standards.
Future Outlook
While job growth will likely depend on state and local government budgeting, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the employment of curriculum developers will grow about as fast as average by 13% over the next decade. As more and more schools are shifting their focus to evaluating and improving curriculum standards for enhanced teacher effectiveness, there is projected to be about 18,500 new jobs available for curriculum developers nationwide by 2022. Most developers are hired by school districts to travel to elementary and secondary schools, but there are also job opportunities at universities, professional schools, educational support services, and government agencies to monitor the implementation of curriculum.
Overall, curriculum developers are important members of the school community who spend their days assisting teachers and other educational support staff to review current curriculum standards for staying current with the latest technologies and governmental guidelines. If you are interested in pursuing a career in education without having the daily duties of a teacher or school principal, becoming a curriculum developer can be a great way to still have a large impact on student learning.
Another great resource:
Top 10 Best Online Master’s in Education Degree Programs (M.Ed.) 2014
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